Barrett Small Network Hero

Humanities

Explore the various projects below categorized under the general theme of Humanities. Be sure to return to the Barrett College Fellows Program main page and explore projects under the other 11 themes as well. You might be surprised at what you find and maybe you will discover the perfect research project for what you hope to study!

Please do not contact the research centers or faculty listed below directly (a formal application process is a required step to joining these research opportunities).

For questions about the Barrett College Fellows Program or specific research projects, please contact Dr. Sarah Graff at: BarrettCollegeFellows@exchange.asu.edu.

Back to Barrett College Fellows main page

Research projects

Database of Witch-Trials in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, 1500-1800

Project # 5

Center name: Barrett
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Michael Ostling

Project description

Description: The Database aims to record all surviving data about the trials of alleged witches in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth over a three-hundred year period. It further intends to make this information publicly available in a searchable, interactive form, allowing researchers and other interested parties to sort, trace, and explore the contours of a series of trials that took the lives of at least 1000 women and men.

Responsibilities: The Database is in a late state of development. Whereas in the past we have benefited from the skills of students with a broad range of abilities (from software coding to bibliography to cartography) at this point the project needs the help of a student with strong Polish-language abilities. The student would deepen the database by finding, sorting, and translating original historical materials, placing these in appropriate database cells, and ensuring quality control through rigorous proof-reading. Student must have reading ability in Polish at the advanced, fluent, or native-speaker level, and must have a willingness to work with difficult historical materials.

Special skills needed

Polish language (reading) at advanced or native-speaker level.
Excel or other spreadsheet abilities.
Excellent writing skills.
Proofreading, copy-editing, and bibliography.

Majors

All majors

Years

2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Business and Entrepreneurship, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media

Embryo Project

Project # 7

Center name: Center for Biology and Society
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Jane Maienschein

Project description

The Embryo Project involves carrying out research and learning to write for a general audience, producing a cluster of articles that are reviewed and (if accepted) published in the Embryo Project Encylopedia. Research participation begins with the Embryo Project Writing Seminar, which is a structured class as a writers workshop that meets Wednesdays 3:15-5:30. We can accept up to 10 students for the course total, including graduate students and undergraduates, and we typically have 1-3 as Barrett College Fellows in fall and spring.

Special skills needed

Interest in writing about scientific ideas for a general public, willingness to learn with and from others in a writers workshop, and interest in the broad field of embryos, development, reproduction, abortion, eugenics, and related topics, and the historical and social context.

Majors

Life sciences, health sciences, communication, journalism, history, philosophy, law, policy, and many others.

Years

2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Global Educational Migration

Project # 20

Center name: School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (West Valley)
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Sangmi Lee

Project description

This proposed research is about Korean ethnic return migrant students (KERMS), diasporic descendants who were born or raised abroad and have “returned” to their ancestral homeland of South Korea for their higher education. The goal of this research is to demonstrate that even among educational migrants who share the same ancestry and heritage culture with native-born students, various forms of inequality and exclusion persist in higher education that can differentially affect their sense of belonging and limit their educational success and employment opportunities. I am seeking one or two students who are interested in the topics of global education, migration, and immigrant descendants and qualitative, ethnographic research methods. Students will assist with collecting online data and sources (e.g., survey results, medial and institutional reports, etc.), finding relevant literature, and producing summaries on the collected materials.

Special skills needed

Analytical writing skills, some knowledge about research process would be good, but not required (I will advise and train students).

Majors

Education, Humanities, "Journalism, Communication and Mass Media", Social and Behavioral Sciences

Years

2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media

Remembering and Forgetting Past Atrocities: Memorials, Monuments, and Museums

Project # 27

Center name: Dr. T's Research Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Gunes Murat Tezcur

Project description

Dr. Güneş Murat Tezcür is Professor and the Director of the School of Politics and Global Studies. He studies comparative politics and explores political violence and politics of identity with a focus on Iranian, Kurdish, Turkish, and most recently, American human geography. His scholarship has appeared in many leading scholarly journals and his recent book "Liminal Minorities: Religion and Mass Violence in Muslim Societies" was published by Cornell University Press in 2024. He is currently pursuıng a comparative research project that explores how past atrocities are remembered (or forgotten) through public memorials, symbols, and narratives.

How are sites of atrocities transformed into places of remembrance as opposed to entertainment, consumption, or habitation? How do memorials, monuments, and museums shape the politics of reconciliation? How do marginalized communities create memorials and spaces that challenge hegemonic discourses and perceptions in such sites? Alternatively, how are collective memories of violence being silenced and prevented from transmission across generations? The project has a deliberately comparative edge and aims to document memorials as well as voids locally (Native American landscape in Arizona), nationally {Black landscapes in the United States), and cross-nationally (minorities in the Middle East). Barrett Fellows will think about politics of remembrance and forgetfulness with a focus on the experience of marginalized communities are encouraged to develop honor theses based on this project. Participation in this project may require travel within Arizona.

Special skills needed

Curiosity about the role violence plays in human affairs, the legacies of past atrocities on contemporary issues, the ways in which collective memories and public memorials are constructed, contested, and how marginalized groups express themselves, challenge hegemonic discourses and representations, and articulate alternative histories and remembrances.

Majors

Political Science, Global Studies, History, Art, Anthropology

Years

3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Humanities, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Children's Equity Project

Project # 28

Center name: Children's Equity Project
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Shantel Meek

Project description

The Children’s Equity Project is led in partnership with researchers and advocates at several universities and organizations across the United States. Our work focuses on closing opportunity gaps and advancing equity in all of the systems that impact the lives of children and families so that all children, particularly those from historically and contemporary marginalized communities, can thrive.

The CEP works at the intersection of research, practice, and policy. We engage in rigorous original research, partner with policy makers at every level of government to support data and research informed policy changes that will advance opportunity for children from historically marginalized communities; and engage with communities to deliver training, technical assistance, and professional development. We are informed by families' voices through our family advisory committee, lived experiences, data, and research, and have deep expertise in child development, policy, and systems.

Special skills needed

No pre skills required, just dedication and interest in our mission

Majors

Policy, education, sociology, family development, early childhood education, etc

Years

3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Humanities, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Sustainability

Indigenous ASU

Project # 30

Center name: Center for Indian Education
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Tempe
Faculty lead: Judy Kertész

Project description

The Indigenous ASU project explores and honors the rich history and enduring contributions of Indigenous faculty, students, and staff at Arizona State University. Through archival research, storytelling, and public engagement, the project seeks to preserve and amplify the legacies of Indigenous communities that have shaped ASU’s culture, academic mission, and identity.

At its core, Indigenous ASU emphasizes public history, focusing on uncovering and sharing stories that often go untold. Students will conduct in-depth archival research, examining historical documents, photographs, and records to uncover key milestones in ASU’s Indigenous history. This work will be complemented by oral history interviews with Indigenous individuals connected to ASU, capturing their personal experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Together, these efforts will contribute to a living archive, ensuring the preservation of these vital narratives for future generations.

The project also includes designing interactive exhibits that showcase important moments in ASU’s Indigenous history, such as the development of academic programs and cultural initiatives. Additionally, a digital archive will host multimedia resources, creating an accessible platform for educators, researchers, and the broader public.

With a cohort size of up to 10 students, the project offers a collaborative environment where participants develop practical skills in archival research, oral history, digital storytelling, and public engagement. Indigenous ASU reflects ASU’s commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and public service, ensuring Indigenous voices remain central to its mission.

Special skills needed

Students participating in the Indigenous ASU project will have the opportunity to develop a range of valuable skills while contributing to this meaningful initiative. Key skills include conducting archival research to locate, analyze, and catalog historical documents and primary sources that uncover significant moments in ASU’s Indigenous history. Participants will also gain experience in oral history, learning how to conduct respectful and ethical interviews while using recording and transcription tools to preserve personal narratives.

In addition, students will explore the art of digital storytelling by creating multimedia content and designing engaging online platforms that bring these stories to life. They will also apply principles of exhibit design, working collaboratively to develop interactive displays that effectively communicate Indigenous contributions and experiences.

A commitment to cultural sensitivity is essential, as participants will represent Indigenous voices with respect and inclusivity. Collaboration will be at the heart of the project, with students honing their ability to manage time, contribute to team efforts, and communicate effectively to meet project goals.

No prior experience is required—just an interest in Indigenous history and public history. Training and mentorship will be provided to help students build these skills and make a lasting impact through their work on the project.

Majors

History, American Indian Studies, American Studies, English Literature, Sociology, Anthropology, and any relevant humanities and social science majors.

Years

ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences

A Digital Bill of Rights for Arizona

Project # 31

Center name:
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Itty Abraham

Project description

The artist Richard Serra is said to have coined the aphorism, “if the product is free, you are the product.” Although he was referring to broadcast television in the 1970s, the idea captures very well the logic underwriting our current online condition. The phrase draws attention to the ubiquity of seemingly free digital technologies in our daily lives and how they are shaping us in ways both good and bad. Yet, even as our technological lives are being transformed at breakneck speed, our political thinking seems trapped in an analog era, especially with respect to legal protections. Without going into the reasons why our rights and entitlements have not kept up with the online-offline worlds we now inhabit, it seems obvious we need a much greater degree of public awareness and transparency to protect us from the harmful effects of existing and emerging digital technologies, not least AI. With this background in mind, I am looking for two Barrett students interested in helping draft a digital bill of rights for Arizona residents and citizens.

Special skills needed

Some background in political theory, online technology, current affairs would be helpful. Ability to read and synthesize official documents. Interest in global affairs. Willingness to learn through debate and discussion

Majors

Political Science, Innovation in Society, Public Policy, Social Transformations, Justice, Rights

Years

3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Humanities Researcher

Project # 32

Center name: Humanities Institute
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Ron Brogliio

Project description

The Humanities Institute provides programming and engagement in a broad range of humanities fields ranging from philosophy and ethics to classic and speculative fiction, to art and environmental studies, and public writing. We are seeking one or more students willing to do research on and around our annual programs (for examples, see https://humanitiesinstitute.asu.edu/events). This can mean writing, providing quotations from research sources, creating photo or video montages, or other ways the student(s) would like to engage with, highlight, and enhance our robust programming. Oversight of projects is done by the Director of the Humanities Institute and our events team. Hours are flexible with primarily remote work and occasional on-sight work where possible.

Special skills needed

Project outcomes will work with student skill sets. Some possible skills: essay writing, online and library research, image creation, video recording and editing (at any skill level), social media posting (esp. Instagram).

Majors

English, Philosophy, History, Foreign Languages, Journalism, Media Studies

Years

ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media

Barrett SAEE (Space Architecture & Extreme Environments) ARC 493 Honors Thesis (3 credits - Spring)

Project # 36

Center name: MSD, Space Architecture & Extreme Environments (SAEE)
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Elena Rocchi

Project description

Barrett Honors students will participate in SAEE Barrett Research programs, including:
1) Working in the labs of the Interplanetary Initiative, The Next Lab, and the Luminosity Lab, contributing to cutting-edge science, with one student per lab.
2) Engaging in supply chain management within the Business program to contribute to designing the first Starbucks in space, with one student.
3) Participating in the SAEE Barrett Global Flex program in Rome, one of the space capitals of the world, providing an ideal environment for this program and open to all.
The faculty lead is Elena Rocchi, working in collaboration with the different lab directors, program heads, and faculty abroad. By the time of application, new opportunities in labs and cities may arise, so students are encouraged to schedule a meeting with me, as the leading faculty member, to discuss available placements and opportunities in more detail.

Special skills needed

Self-Time Management; Design Capacity and Interest in Making Things; Collaboration and Teamwork; Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving; Adaptability and Flexibility; Attention to Detail; Interpersonal and Cross-Cultural Communication; Initiative and Drive; Technical Competency; Global Perspective

Majors

Architecture,
Industrial Design,
Graphic Design (for virtual simulations/technologies),
Computer Science (for virtual simulations/technologies),
Design, Arts,
Mechanical Engineering,
Civil Engineering,
Urban Planning,
Business Administration (Supply Chain Management),
Environmental Design,
Aerospace Engineering,
Biomedical Engineering (for health-related research in space),
Materials Science,
Sustainability Studies,
International Studies (for global perspectives),
Electrical Engineering (for wearable technology design),
Physics (for space science and research applications)

Years

2nd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 3rd Year Students

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Education, Engineering, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

Cultivating Civic Virtues

Project # 48

Center name: Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics
Campus/Location: Unknown
Faculty lead: Joan McGregor

Project description

This project is aimed at research for our grant project designed to cultivate civic character and virtue among undergraduates at Arizona's public universities. I am looking for a student to develop a bibliography on the moral and epistemic virtues crucial for citizenship and flourishing democratic societies, particularly the virtues of civility, empathy, civic grace, humility, and openness to diverse perspectives. I would also like to have someone compile materials for our website on cultivating civic virtue.

Special skills needed

Strong research skills, some knowledge of philosophy or political science desirable

Majors

Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies

Years

3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Humanities, Law, Justice, and Public Service

Identifying Sentiment in Opinions for Automated Analysis

Project # 55

Center name: SILC
Campus/Location: Fully remote
Faculty lead: Olga Kellert

Project description

Faculty Lead: SILC
Student Capacity: Up to 5 students
Understanding how opinions are expressed and identifying the words or phrases that convey positivity or negativity is a crucial step in building software capable of automatically predicting sentiment. Such tools are invaluable in industries and decision-making processes, allowing companies and policymakers to respond effectively to public opinions and needs.This project focuses on uncovering linguistic markers of positive and negative opinions. For instance:
• “I don’t like vaccinations” expresses a negative opinion.
• “It’s very important to be vaccinated” conveys a positive opinion.
The aim is to identify single words (e.g., “like,” “important”) or longer phrases (e.g., “very important”) that indicate sentiment. By participating, students will contribute to the foundational work required for sentiment classification software.
Students will analyze a set of text samples, marking words and phrases as positive or negative. This work is not only vital for developing automated sentiment analysis tools but also offers students hands-on experience with linguistic data and insights into computational text analysis.

Special skills needed

Proficiency in English

Majors

Languages, social sciences, computer science

Years

2nd Year Students, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Health and Wellness, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences

STEMMA: Systems of Transmitting Early Modern Manuscript Verse, 1475–1700

Project # 56

Center name: STEMMA: Systems of Transmitting Early Modern Manuscript Verse, 1475–1700
Campus/Location: Fully remote, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Erin McCarthy

Project description

STEMMA is an interdisciplinary project that develops and applies a data-driven approach in order to provide the first macro-level view of the circulation of early modern English poetry in manuscript. It focuses on English verse manuscripts written and used between the introduction of printing in England in 1475 and 1700, by which time the rapid changes in both literary taste and publishing norms ushered in by the Restoration had fully transformed literary culture. The project includes manuscripts circulating in England and anywhere else English was spoken and read, including Ireland, the North American colonies, and continental exile communities.

We are seeking motivated and enthusiastic honors student researchers to join the STEMMA project team. As part of this multidisciplinary project, you will be involved in computational research that seeks to uncover hidden connections between early modern texts, focusing on the movement of English poetry through manuscript miscellanies. This position provides an excellent opportunity for students with an interest in literature, digital humanities, data analytics, and/or network analysis. Students are welcome to build upon their work in their honors theses/projects.
* Students may explore the possibility of traveling to Galway and attend the STEMMA Hackathon and John Donne Society Conference in Summer 2025 in Ireland. *

Prof. Erin McCarthy (BA, ASU '05) is the Principal Investigator of STEMMA, but her team comprises doctoral and postdoctoral researchers with expertise in literary studies, history, digital humanities, and computational methods. Students would therefore have access to a range of scholars at different career stages.

Special skills needed

"A background in English literature, history, digital humanities, data science, design, and/or statistics.
Strong analytical skills and a willingness to learn new computational methods.
Interest in early modern literature, manuscript studies, or network analysis.
Basic experience with data analysis tools or other relevant software is a plus.
Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Ability to manage time effectively and handle multiple tasks."

Majors

All majors will be considered upon application, but the opportunity may be of particular interest to students in the following areas:
English,
History,
Multi-/interdisciplinary studies,
Computer and information sciences,
Mathematics

Years

First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Data Analytics and Mathematics, Humanities

Guadalupe Community Climate Futures

Project # 64

Center name: Center for Science and the Imagination
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Ed Finn

Project description

The Center for Science and the Imagination is building a community climate futures project with the town of Guadalupe. Students joining this project will participate in a collaborative research program working with elders and high school students in the Guadalupe community to imagine resilient, positive futures in the face of climate change and other challenges. Activities will include designing and implementing monthly activities for community members to imagine hopeful futures and connect community heritage and history to aspirational goals for the future. Some examples of previous workshop themes include quilting and fabric arts, visual arts, cooking, music. This work draws on methodologies from the fields of design research (such as co-design and speculative design), foresight and futures (including trend analysis and worldbuilding), and the humanities (speculative fiction and personal narratives). Students will support the project through ideation and implementation, community engagement, data analysis, and sharing of research findings with the Guadalupe community and other audiences.

Special skills needed

Required: Collaboration, communication, creativity, reliability, and a sense of adventure
Interest in community-based work, futures foresight

Majors

All majors are encouraged to apply

Years

First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Education, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

Social Background and COVID-19 Information Processing in Peru and Ecuador

Project # 78

Center name: SILC
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Olga Kellert

Project description

This project examines how social backgrounds influence the understanding of COVID-19 information disseminated by high-impact news outlets in Peru and Ecuador. Using data collected from indigenous and non-indigenous communities, the study employs interdisciplinary methods, including statistical analyses, to evaluate belief states and their alignment with news content (Reference Corpus).

Honor students will analyze the dataset (provided in Excel) to determine whether knowledge about virus treatment varies by cultural, linguistic, age, or gender differences. They will also contextualize their findings within broader social and cultural research frameworks. This project offers students a practical, hands-on experience in quantitative analysis while emphasizing the integration of cultural contexts into data interpretation.

Special skills needed

Familiarity with quantitative data analysis techniques and tools (e.g., Excel, R, or Python). Basic understanding of research methods, particularly in social sciences. Cultural sensitivity and interest in working with diverse populations and data. Understand Spanish or use Google Translate.

Majors

Social and Behavioral sciences, Data analytics/Statistics

Years

3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Culturally Relevant and Responsive Educational (CRRE) Curriculum on American Indian Boarding Schools in the Southwest

Project # 81

Center name: Center for Indian Education
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Brooke Curleyhair

Project description

This project focuses on the development of a culturally relevant and responsive educational (CRRE) curriculum for grades 6-12 that examines the history of American Indian boarding schools in the Southwest U.S. The curriculum will address the legacies of colonialism and assimilation policies, as well as the intergenerational trauma caused by boarding school systems, which have disrupted cultural continuity and created barriers to educational success for Indigenous youth. The goal is to reconnect students with Indigenous histories specific to the Southwest, challenging dominant narratives in mainstream education.

The curriculum will integrate primary sources, including Indigenous voices, and encourage critical engagement with issues such as sovereignty, power dynamics, and the consequences of education policies. It is designed to help Indigenous students feel pride and belonging, while offering all students the opportunity to explore historical injustices and their ongoing impact.

The faculty lead is Dr. Jessica Solyom, Associate Director for the Center for Indian Education, along with CIE Policy Analyst, Brooke Curleyhair. Together, they will guide the development and implementation of this curriculum, ensuring it meets state-mandated educational standards while fostering critical inquiry and action-oriented lessons.

Special skills needed

- Strong research and critical thinking skills
- Interest in Indigenous education, history, or policy
- Ability to analyze and synthesize primary sources
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Familiarity with culturally responsive pedagogy (preferred but not required)
- Basic curriculum development skills or interest in curriculum design
- Knowledge of or willingness to learn about American Indian boarding schools and their impact

Majors

Education, History, Indigenous Studies, Public Policy, Sociology, Humanities, Anthropology, Social Work, Journalism

Years

2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Education, Humanities, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Constructing Difference in the Media

Project # 90

Center name:
Campus/Location: Fully remote
Faculty lead: Chelsea Reynolds

Project description

We seek two Barrett College Fellows to conduct humanistic and/or social science research focused on representations of marginalized communities and media subcultures. The fellows will advance critical media studies questions about the intersections of mass communication, race, gender, sexuality, disability, and social class.

As part of the Cronkite School’s new Center for Culture & Inclusion in Media (CCIM), the Barrett fellows will gain hands-on experience developing literature reviews, framing research questions, and empirically analyzing media texts for their political and social constructions of difference. Fellows should be familiar with qualitative research methods.

There are multiple papers currently in development: 1) a content analysis of newspaper coverage of Drag Queen Story Hour bans; 2) a grounded theory of Latinx mental health influencer content, 3) an exploratory study of LGBTQ+ gun rights discourse online; and 4) a lyrical analysis of masculinity in the Drake vs. Kendrick rap battles.

Projects will vary based on grant funding and journal calls for papers. Barrett fellows will work remotely to assist the director, affiliate faculty members, and doctoral research assistants.

The faculty mentor is the CCIM Director, Chelsea Reynolds, Ph.D. Reach out with any questions: chelsea.j.reynolds@asu.edu.

Special skills needed

- Comfortable working with and writing about subcultures and marginalized communities.
- Must show sensitivity toward difficult topics, such as race, gender, sexuality, ability status, and social class.
- Experience as a student journalist and/or experience working with qualitative data.
- Strong writer.
- Confident working remotely as part of a virtual team.

Majors

Journalism and Mass Communication; Mass Communication and Media Studies; Social and Cultural Analysis; Communication; Sociology; Gender Women & Sexuality Studies; African and African American Studies; American Indian Studies

Years

3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Environmental Justice Legacy Initiative

Project # 91

Center name:
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Tracy Perkins

Project description

Environmental Justice Wikipedia Project: Conduct background research to identify strong source material for new articles about US environmental justice activists on Wikipedia. Student will be trained in finding and evaluating source material. Depending on student interest and ability, student may edit existing Wikipedia articles on environmental justice activists.

Environmental Justice Oral History collection: Edit transcripts of oral history interviews with environmental justice activists to prepare them for public release. Student will be trained in the editing process.

Perkins is faculty lead for all of the above. Depending on student interests and project needs, students could be assigned to either of these projects.

Special skills needed

Detail oriented
Responsible and reliable

All project skills can be taught, but familiarity with social movements, environmental justice, library sciences, racism and other forms of social inequality, oral history, literature reviews, Wikipedia and/or archiving is a plus.

Majors

Most humanities and social science degrees will be appropriate. Particularly useful degrees include: Justice Studies, Transborder Studies, American Indian Studies, Asian Pacific American Studies, African and African American Studies, Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies, Sociology, History and American Studies.

Years

ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Education, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

Wikipedia for Schools Research and Development Intern

Project # 93

Center name: SolarSPELL
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Laura Hosman

Project description

SolarSPELL is seeking 3-4 interns to curate regionally-relevant, engaging, and educational Wikipedia articles to add to our offline digital libraries that are used around the globe. Wikipedia for Schools (WFS) is a curated selection of ~7,000 articles from the full Wikipedia article catalog that are meant to be school-friendly and support existing curriculum. The SolarSPELL initiative includes WFS as a collection of our offline, digital libraries, which are localized for the community using them. As such, further review of WFS is necessary to assess what new articles to include and what articles to (perhaps) weed out in order to be as relevant as possible to our in-country library users around the world. This project would require research into relevant supporting materials for curricula where SolarSPELL currently has libraries, including countries in the Pacific Islands, East Africa, and Southern Africa. Students proficient in Arabic may also work on the Arabic WFS for our Northeast Syria library.

Special skills needed

- Ability to conduct research
- Thrive in a team environment and work well with others
- Detail oriented and reliable; a strong and honest work ethic motivates you
- Globally minded; you have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world

Majors

All majors

Years

First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

Arabic Digital Library Cultural Content Curator

Project # 94

Center name: SolarSPELL
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Laura Hosman

Project description

SolarSPELL is seeking students to curate regionally-relevant, open access, educational content for our Middle East library collection that is currently used in the Autonomous Region of North and East Syria (AANES). Proficiency in Arabic, Kurdish, OR Syriac is required. The Arabic collection on our digital library currently includes over 1500 resources. Students in this role will oversee the expansion and further development of the Arabic collection for use in North and East Syria and beyond. This is the first library to curate local content in three languages: Arabic, Kurdish, and Syriac. More information about our partnership with AANES can be found here: https://solarspell.org/rebuilding-education-during-conflict.

Special skills needed

- Arabic, Kurdish, or Syriac proficiency
- Thrive in a team environment and work well with others
- Detail oriented and reliable; a strong and honest work ethic motivates you
- Globally minded; you have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world

Majors

All majors

Years

First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

French Digital Library Content Curator

Project # 95

Center name: SolarSPELL
Campus/Location: Tempe, Fully remote, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Laura Hosman

Project description

SolarSPELL is seeking enthusiastic interns with a passion for French, education, and community development to help curate culturally relevant, open-access educational content for our newest French language library, set to empower communities in West Africa. Students will work closely with the SolarSPELL team to prioritize content needs and address feedback. This opportunity allows for in-depth research on the cultural, linguistic, and educational contexts of West African / Sub-Saharan African countries, with a preliminary focus on Senegal, Cameroon, and/or Benin.

Special skills needed

- Strong written and verbal communication skills in both French and English.
- Thrive in a team environment and work well with others
- Detail oriented and reliable; a strong and honest work ethic motivates you
- Experience with online research, document curation, or working with open access resources.
- Globally minded; you have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world

Majors

All majors

Years

First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

EYEPlay for Everyone

Project # 97

Center name: OASIS Learning Futures Collaborative; Mary Lou Fulton College
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Erin Rotheram-Fuller

Project description

We can support up to four students for this project where we are using drama during story time to increase communication, engagement and literacy skills for preschool aged children who are minimally verbal.

Special skills needed

Good organizational skills, enjoy watching and playing with young children, interest in understanding disabilities and early education engagement strategies, and attention to detail!

Majors

This would be ideal for students in the social sciences and education majors. We have several parts of the project that students can take part in, from play-based assessments in schools, to online coding of classroom videos. There is also an opportunity to build and use databases, and assist in analyses for those who are interested (but not required!). This is also an ideal match for students from any field who are interested in learning more about children with disabilities.

Years

First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Musician/Music Editor

Project # 99

Center name: SolarSPELL
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Tempe, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Laura Hosman

Project description

SolarSPELL is seeking a music production intern to assist in the editing and production of songs that reflect the mission and values of our global educational initiative. The final product(s) will be used in various media and outreach initiatives, enhancing our organization's branding and storytelling efforts. This role offers the unique opportunity to apply music editing skills in a meaningful way, contributing to an organization that aims to improve access to education in resource-constrained regions to children around the world.

Special skills needed

- Experience in music production, including audio editing, mixing, and mastering
- Proficiency in music production software
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently while meeting deadlines
- Globally minded; you have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world

Majors

All majors

Years

First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

Language, thought, and culture in children and adults

Project # 111

Center name: Thinking Across Languages and Contexts (TALC) Lab
Campus/Location: West, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Alex Carstensen

Project description

Do speakers of different languages think about the world in qualitatively different ways, or do they just talk about it differently? How do children learn to understand abstract ideas, like similarity or time, and how do their day-to-day experiences with language and culture shape their cognitive development?

This research investigates similarities and differences in cognition between kids and adults from different contexts, as a function of the language(s) they speak and the cultures they have experience with. Our studies involve interactive puzzle games like guessing how to make a music box play or identifying a hidden picture, and open-ended play, like drawing pictures on a tablet. We use responses in these games to infer the structure of our participants’ concepts, and identify influences from language, culture, and other experiences.

Fellows will be instrumental in recruiting participants and collecting data from speakers of their language, including English! Data collection will occur on campus in our lab testing space and off campus at schools, museums, and other organizations like the Desert Botanical Garden. The ideal candidate is motivated, organized, excellent at working independently, and passionate about science and research in general.

Special skills needed

- We are currently seeking applicants who are fluent speakers of English, Spanish, Korean, Hindi, Telugu, and Gujarati, but bilinguals in Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and other languages are also encouraged to apply.
- Multilingual and multicultural students are particularly encouraged to apply, especially those with Asian or Indigenous American heritage (in any part of the Americas: north, central, and south).
- Fellows wanting to work with kids should have extensive experience with young children, ages 3-8 years, though this may be in formal (e.g., daycare, summer camp) or informal (family) settings.
- Experience with R, javascript, php, and other programming languages is a bonus.
- Applicants must be available to run studies and participate in lab activities at least 10 hours per week.

Majors

Psychology, linguistics, education, data science, sociology, anthropology, interdisciplinary studies

Years

First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Language of Landscapes Hub

Project # 115

Center name: ASU Percussion Program/ New Morse Code
Campus/Location: Fully remote
Faculty lead: Michael Compitello

Project description

The Language of Landscapes Hub (LoL Hub) is a multi-media public digital resource designed to encourage action on climate change through engaged and collective observation and communication. LoL Hub combines field recordings and collectively recorded/performed music; interviews with humanities scholars and scientists; and models for community activities generated by musical ensemble New Morse Code (Hannah Collins and PI Michael Compitello), composer Christopher Stark, and participants in a number of community engagement activities throughout the US. LoL Hub will expand these in-person activities along lines recommended by humanities scholars and project consultants, encouraging members of the public to engage with one another’s acoustic ecologies, sonic history, and community priorities through the creation of a publicly available database of field recordings and musical compositions.

Project
Work with faculty lead Michael Compitello on creating a public-facing LoL Hub database and public interface, including ArcGIS, UI design, and StoryMap creation.

Assemble and tag project resources, design ArcGIS framework and additional content, including professionally recorded video interviews, photos/videos taken at project sites, and suggested reading/listening/activities.

Work with Compitello to design and create ArcGIS map, and ArcGIS StoryMaps, which will present project- and site-specific information for all extant project locations, introductions to the scholarship of project experts and consultants, and guidance for user participation. Create and add to the database of field recordings.

Special skills needed

ArcGIS, Database creation and editing, Geotagging sound files, photos, and videos, Meta-data tagging of sound files with component sounds (birds, water, wind, or specific musical instruments), Web editing: this project is primarily in ArcGIS and StoryMaps, but experience in web design is a plus, Experience in video and audio editing

Majors

Geographic Information Science (Online and in-person), Data Analytics, Global Futures, Innovation in Society, Sustainability, Media Arts and Sciences, Graphic information technology, Music, Interdisciplinary Studies

Years

ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Humanities, Sustainability

Organizational capacity building: Perspectives from nonprofit managers

Project # 116

Center name: Dr. Danbi Seo's research project
Campus/Location: Downtown, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Danbi Seo

Project description

Capacity building is widely regarded as essential for strengthening nonprofit organizations. Strong capacity helps nonprofits to achieve their missions, adapt to external challenges, and increase long-term sustainability. Researchers and policymakers frequently advocate for capacity-building initiatives, yet the concept remains a broad and often ambiguous buzzword. Despite its prominence in nonprofit management discourse, little is known about how nonprofit practitioners themselves interpret and implement capacity-building efforts in practice.

This research projects attempts to bridge this gap by examining how nonprofit managers and practitioners define, experience, and prioritize capacity building within their organizations. To understand the diverse ways capacity building is understood and operationalized, the research team will conduct interviews and focus groups with nonprofit professionals across various domains. Barrett fellows will be responsible for helping data collection and analysis in this process. The findings are expected to offer valuable insights for scholars, funders, and policymakers aiming to support meaningful capacity-building efforts tailored to the realities of nonprofit organizations.

Special skills needed

-Analytical thinking and ability to synthesize information from multiple sources
-Experience and/or interest in qualitative research methods (e.g., interviews, focus groups)
-Familiarity with nonprofit management, capacity building, or organizational studies would be a plus.
-Attention to details; time management skills; strong ethical standards to handle confidential research data

Majors

Nonprofit management, public affairs, business management, or social science broadly

Years

2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Business and Entrepreneurship, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Día de los Muertos in El Valle

Project # 124

Center name: This is a Barrett Dean's Fellow initiative ("Culture & Community Lab"). Our pro…
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Mathew Sandoval

Project description

The mission of this public humanities project is to document the history of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in the Phoenix metro area and explain its cultural significance. We're focusing on Xicanindio (Shee-can-een-dee-oh), a multidisciplinary arts organization founded in Mesa in 1975. This collective of Chicano & Native American artists produced the first public celebration of Día de Muertos in El Valle (the Valley). Their annual festival led directly to the creation of other Day of the Dead celebrations throughout the Phoenix metro area. Our project utilizes oral history interviews and archival research to trace the historical development of Día de Muertos from the 1970s to now.

In AY 2024-2025 we will be mounting a museum exhibition at ASU's Hispanic Research Center. This will require Research Fellows to participate in curating the show, creating a website, filming & editing video, creating multimedia presentations, developing promotional materials, and other creative activities, while familiarizing themselves with the history of Day of the Dead in El Valle. Research Fellows can also expect to help perform oral history interviews with local artists, conduct research at the ASU Library and Mesa Arts Center, co-write publications, and help create media assets (documentary short & podcast).

Special skills needed

Creative skills - art, photography, film, performing arts, graphic design; Writing; Critical thinking; Research skills (primary & secondary sources); Event planning

Majors

We welcome students from all majors. However, it's important that students have an interest in Mexican American, Native American, and/or African American culture & history, since those are the communities we're researching. Students with a general interest in local Arizona culture & history are also welcome. We currently have students from History, Journalism, Engineering, Business, Medical Studies, and Biology.

Years

2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media

24hBL Clinical Trials

Project # 126

Center name: 24h Behaviors Laboratory
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Matthew Buman

Project description

The 24h Behaviors Laboratory currently has two NIH-clinical trials, StandUPTV Habits and Stand & Move at Work.

StandUPTV Habits is a smartphone app intervention focused on reducing total sedentary screen time in adults and understanding its relationship with chronic disease risk.

Stand & Move at Work is a worksite intervention testing the impact of sit-stand workstations to improve cardiometabolic health, decrease sitting and increase light-intensity physical activity in the workplace.

Students will support participant recruitment, and data collection, set up wearable devices, and provide suppThe 24-Hour Behaviors Laboratory is currently conducting two NIH clinical trials: StandUPTV Habits and Stand & Move at Work.

StandUPTV Habits is a smartphone app intervention aimed at reducing overall sedentary screen time in adults while examining its relationship with chronic disease risk.

Stand & Move at Work is a worksite intervention that tests the impact of sit-stand workstations on improving cardiometabolic health. This study focuses on decreasing sitting time and increasing light-intensity physical activity in the workplace.

Students involved in these projects will assist with participant recruitment, data collection, the setup of wearable devices, and providing support to participants.

Special skills needed

Prior research experience is not required for students; however, they should possess excellent attention to detail, be self-motivated, work effectively both independently and as part of a team, demonstrate outstanding communication skills, and maintain participant confidentiality at all times.

Majors

Students looking to obtain clinical research experience are encouraged to apply.

Years

First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Health and Wellness, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Learn, Honor, Remember: Content design for the USS Phoenix Cold War Monument

Project # 127

Center name: Melikian Center: Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Keith Brown

Project description

The Melikian Center is part of the Content Advisory Group for the USS Phoenix Cold War monument and memorial, under design for the Steele Indian School park in Phoenix. Providing research, writing and other logistic support, this project seeks students with interests in Cold War history, non-profit organization, city administration, education or art and design. The project would include liaising with designers, educators, historians and technical writers to curate historical content for panels that will provide context for visitors to a new monument centered on the remains of the USS Phoenix, an attack submarine that was in service during the Cold War. For more see https://www.ussphoenixmonument.org/

Special skills needed

Interest in historical interpretation, Writing and research skills, Interest in working collaboratively, User-centered design, Interest in military history, and or memorialization

Majors

American Studies, Applied Military and Veteran Studies, Architectural Studies, Business (Tourism), Communication, English, Global Studies, History, International Relations, Military Studies, Public Policy (Parks and Recreation Management), Urban Planning, User Experience

Years

ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work) 3rd Year Students 4th Year Students- Seniors 2nd Year Students

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Global Arizona: An oral history of the State Partnership Program with Kazakhstan, 1993-2025

Project # 128

Center name: Melikian Center: Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies
Campus/Location: Tempe, Downtown
Faculty lead: Keith Brown

Project description

This new oral history project will document the history of the State Partnership Program (SPP), a National Guard-led program which has linked Arizona to Kazakhstan since 1993. The Arizona and Kazakhstan partnership is one of the original 13 partnerships of the program, which now includes over 100 countries. The concept for this project emerged during an Arizona delegation visit to Kazakhstan in Fall 2024, and has the support of leadership of AZ National Guard. ASU has provided cultural training and support for the Program since 2018, and this research project builds in that relationship. The goal is to produce both scholarly and public-facing products (including for example interviews and transcripts, storymaps, podcasts and blog articles, as well as a potential short book). This would be suitable for development into a Barrett honors project, and be of interest to students with interests in civil-military relations, citizen diplomacy, Central Asian politics and culture and oral history.

Special skills needed

Interest in oral history, Interview design and implementation skills, Project management, Experience with digital media recording, editing

Majors

American Studies, Russian, Applied Military and Veteran Studies, International Relations, Global Studies, History, Education, English, Communication

Years

First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences